Shared Reading in the Workplace Q&A – Open Door, Birkenhead

George Hawkins, Joy Project Director at Open Door charity in Birkenhead, explains how Shared Reading has been used on staff away days to build connection and collaboration between different teams. 

Could you please tell us a bit about Open Door and what you do? 

Open Door is an award-winning charity which specialises in peer-led support to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 14 – 35 in Birkenhead. It is free, without waiting lists and takes place outside of clinical settings, using innovative arts and culture programmes designed by young people for young people. I’m currently leading the flagship redevelopment of our mental health and wellbeing hub with other Third Sector and NHS partners. 

How does Shared Reading fit into the culture and community at Open Door? 

We have used Shared Reading on our last two staff away days. It’s a way of bringing staff together from different teams to build connections and we usually go to places outside of our normal working lives - for example to an interesting cultural site like The Bluecoat in Liverpool. I trained with The Reader – they run a Read to Lead course. 

Who are the people who have participated in it and why is it important?

As we offer peer-led mental health and wellbeing support for young people, we are very much wanting to make sure our staff team also benefit from this kind of support personally in the workplace too. There are usually around 20 of us, aged between 20 to 40. As our organisation is growing this size group is probably getting a little too big for Shared Reading as it works best in smaller groups.  

How did Shared Reading fit into a staff away day at your workplace? 

On our away days we tend to do a bit of work collaboratively such as working on strategic planning, then eat together and engage in an activity that facilitates connection like a short Shared Reading sessions or something silly - games and other fun stuff. I lead the Shared Reading and tend to choose a poem. I prefer something with a bit of meat to it like a Seamus Heaney poem or Robert Frost's The Road not Taken. I think people find it quite refreshing. 

What do you feel is particularly special about the experience of Shared Reading in the Workplace?  

For me Shared Reading builds room and creates space for thoughtful, genuine and deep conversation and connection. It gives room for people’s heartfelt reactions, good collaboration and mutual understanding. In the workplace this has definite value and bridges the gap to go beyond surface level chit-chat and leads to quite profound conversations.

What would you say to another business or organisation interested in starting up Shared Reading sessions? 

I would definitely recommend Shared Reading in the Workplace as it’s a great way to support staff wellbeing in a safe space. I’ve experienced nothing like it when it comes to breaking down barriers and building strong connections. I’d say get some expertise in it from The Reader, for someone from your team to run Shared Reading sessions with support - they run ‘Reader Leader’ training courses for members of your team to learn how to lead a group within the workplace and can arrange for taster sessions. 

The Reader can create a training and support package for companies, charities and organisations to enable staff to deliver Shared reading groups themselves.  

It can also offer taster or one-off sessions for groups who may want a Shared Reading session less frequently or wish to hold a Shared Reading session to focus on a particular theme or issue such as conflict resolution, confidence building or to explore texts that help facilitate difficult conversations. 

Central to this is creating a space where people – regardless of age, background or ability – feel safe, valued and listened to.  

For further information about The Reader’s Shared Reading in the Workplace visit here and contact development@thereader.org.uk   

For further information about Open Door visit here.